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Gervais librarian's Disney wish granted by Dream Foundation

Family, friends and students give a standing ovation for Jalen Miller, a library assistant, during a surprise assembly at Gervais High School in Gervais, Ore., on Friday, May 8, 2015. Miller was diagnosed with cancer in August 2014 and has always dreamed of visiting Disneyland with her grandchildren.(Photo: ANNA REED / Statesman Journal)Buy Photo

"When You Wish Upon a Star" greeted an unsuspecting Jalen Miller Friday as she walked into a Gervais High School gymnasium filled with cheering students and staff.

They had all been waiting for her, and her shocked expression was evidence she had no idea what was coming.

Miller knew this would be her last day as a staff member at the high school. Last summer's diagnosis of bile duct cancer had forced her decision to retire.

What she didn't know was that a wish — shared by her and her husband, David, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2013 — would be granted at a school-wide assembly in her honor.

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Jalenm Miller kisses her sister, Sharla Hartgraves, on the cheek during a surprise assembly for Jalen Miller, a library assistant, at Gervais High School in Gervais, Ore., on Friday, May 8, 2015. Miller was diagnosed with cancer in August 2014 and has always dreamed of visiting Disneyland with her grandchildren.(Photo: ANNA REED / Statesman Journal)

At the Gervais School District, Miller is known by many names: the library lady, the candy lady, the lady who brought hot dogs to the football team. She served in various roles during her 15-year career there, including special education aide, instructional assistant, librarian, site coordinator and preschool teacher.

"Jalen, this is time for us to thank you," said high school teacher Bob Martin at the assembly. "We count (ourselves) very lucky to be a part of your family."

Martin welcomed Phil Sholian, an employee of biotech company Genentech and representative of the Dream Foundation, an organization that grants wishes to adults facing life-threatening illnesses.

If the Disney music and Mickey Mouse gift bags weren't a give-away, Sholian's words were.

"I've learned a lot about her through her family," Sholian said. "We're going to make a vacation possible for this family to Disneyland."

The foundation paid for Miller, her sister and six grandchildren to travel to Anaheim, California, for a seven-day stay and visit to the theme park.

Sholian said Miller's struggles with illness and her and her family's involvement in the community made her an appropriate recipient of the gift.

Miller's colleagues and family also collaborated to give her and the children gift bags.

"To know her is to love her, but there is so much more than that," said Miller's youngest sister, Sharla Hartgraves. "She sees beauty in everything. She sees beauty in simplicity."

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A cake for Jalen Miller, a library assistant, at Gervais High School in Gervais, Ore., on Friday, May 8, 2015. Miller was diagnosed with cancer in August 2014 and has always dreamed of visiting Disneyland with her grandchildren.(Photo: ANNA REED / Statesman Journal)

Hartgraves described her sister as someone who didn't know how to put herself first.

"Her story is being celebrated today right here at Gervais High School," she said. "You are her story too."

An emotional Miller then took the microphone to say her own thank you's.

"I can say thank you from a heart that so loves this school and serving you guys," she said. "I'm so thankful that I got to spend the years here that I did."

Students and staff surrounded Miller after the assembly to hug her and say goodbye. A retirement party with colleagues and family was held directly afterward.

"One of her biggest qualities is her warm personality with kids," said Gervais superintendent Matt Henry. "The one thing that kids immediately can tell is whether you care, and that can go a long way."

Miller walked among decorated tables to socialize with party guests, barely able to finish one conversation before getting interrupted by hugs from colleagues and family members.

"It was very rewarding. It gave me a lot of strength because I went through a lot of hardships," Miller said about her career in the school district. "This job showed me it gave back twice what I could've put in."

Jalen Miller walks in for a surprise school assembly in her honor at Gervais High School in Gervais, Ore., on Friday, May 8, 2015. Miller, a library assistant, was diagnosed with cancer in August 2014 and has always dreamed of visiting Disneyland with her grandchildren. Her wish was granted with help from the Dream Foundation and the school.(Photo: ANNA REED / Statesman Journal)